IAEA Chief El Baradei has
strongly recommended that US Congress and other nations support the deal

India and the US ended discussions positively on the bilateral civil nuclear
cooperation agreement (which forms the backbone of the Indo-US nuclear deal) as
technical experts prepared the broad outline of the pact that will be signed
after US Congress approval. Officials weeded out differences over the
interpretation of the agreement and said the two sides made “good progress” to
generate a final draft is expected within the next couple of months. While the
details of the dialogue was not divulged, the agreement will cover supply of
fuel, storage of spent fuel, nature of safeguards and terms on which the pact
can be terminated.

However, experts say that there are several loose ends that still need to be
resolved. One of them is the question India conducting nuclear tests in future.
The US wants strong language to cap nuclear testing by India and want to be
able to terminate the deal if that condition is violated. However, India
maintains that it will adhere to the policy of unilateral moratorium on further
tests but does not want to enter into any legal commitment. Both nations agreed
on conditions curbing export of proliferation technology to other countries.

From India’s point of view, the guaranteed supply of nuclear fuel from the
U.S., immune to foreign policy directions and convergence is the most crucial
issue. Experts in India are worried that the US may hold India hostage to the
treaty and force it to follow its foreign policy dictates that may not suit
Indian interests.

Officials insist that “The talks ended on a positive and constructive note”
and that both sides were “satisfied with the talks” and that the two sides will
hold another round of meetings later.

Two experts who are Fellows at Council of Foreign Relations said that Indian
commitment to maintaining the moratorium on nuclear testing and its strict
adherence to export controls of sensitive nuclear technology are crucial for
obtaining Congressional approval. They advocated that the US Congress should
ensure conditions that to cease cooperation with New Delhi if India breaks its
unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing. The theory is that prevention of
further Indian nuclear testing and fundamental changes in Indian nuclear
strategy is more important than blocking growth of its nuclear weapons. "If
India resorts to more testing, it would encourage China, for example, to
cooperate more closely with Pakistan, and Russia to expand its aid to Iran's
nuclear program." They did not say how the US Congress should handle ongoing
proliferation of Chinese missile and nuclear technology to Pakistan and that
country’s nuclear proliferation agenda. Most Indian experts resent such
contradictory policy and opinion makers in the US and vex at constantly being
asked to prove its non-proliferation credentials despite being praised for its
stellar record while shrugging off proliferation from China and Pakistan. While
the tone of Indo-US relations has changed from being “preachy” to “partnership”
focused, there are a lot of gaps in making fundamental leaps in trust from both
sides.

Meanwhile, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Mohammed
El Baradei said that the U.S.-India civilian nuclear agreement is a creative
break with the past and, if handled properly, will be a step forward for both
India and the international community. He added that the deal will allow India
access to sensitive technology while bringing its nuclear reactors under IAEA
safeguards.

El Baradei wrote in the Washington Post that access to nuclear technology will
enable India to rid poverty for more than 500 million people and will also
include it in global efforts to combat nuclear terrorism and “rid our world of
nuclear weapons.” He called for “Strong support of India and the U.S. - as well
as all other nuclear weapons states” which he said was essential “to make this
treaty a reality.” He declared that India has agreed to follow the guidelines
and regulations that control access to nuclear material and technology as
specified by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). He also highlighted that India
has also agreed to bring its civilian nuclear facilities under international
safeguards.

He also decried assertions by Nuclear Ayatollahs in the US that says that the
treaty will “legitimize” India’s nuclear weapons program and that it will water
down the Non-Proliferation Treaty. He said that the concept of “legitimate'” or
“illegitimate” nuclear weapons states is a myth concocted and maintained by
some countries that want to perpetuate the division of the world into haves and
have-nots of nuclear weapons.